Cy Young winner named Blue Jays' worst player of 2026

The Toronto Blue Jays are holding on to their postseason lives, hoping to make one final push during the regular season's last week.

To get there, they'll need strong performances from their starting rotation.

Toronto's rotation has dealt with numerous injuries throughout the year. Now, AL Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease is reportedly dealing with shoulder inflammation.

One veteran who has not had a strong year is three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star Max Scherzer.

Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer named Scherzer Toronto's worst player of the 2026 season.

"When the Blue Jays re-signed Scherzer earlier this year, they likely didn't expect him to live up to his Hall of Fame future. They just needed him to anchor the back end of what looked like a strong rotation," Rymer wrote.

Scherzer hasn't been able to live up to those expectations, making just 16 starts due to injuries while posting a career-high 6.07 ERA.

"Instead, he's had the worst year of his career, making only 16 starts and posting a 6.07 ERA. Because of injuries, the pain of this performance has only been magnified in a Toronto rotation that has never really had momentum," Rymer added.

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Scherzer turned 42 in July, and injuries have become a normal occurrence with the future Hall of Famer.

Most recently, he dealt with back spasms. In April, he was placed on the IL for right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.

Scherzer is a workhorse, but if he wants to extend his playing career, it may not be with the Blue Jays.